Category Archives: Diet and Nutrition

Being health conscious does not always mix well with eating meat, especially if you like to grill the meat. Animal proteins, in particular beef and pork, are associated with higher levels of saturated fats and increased risk for heart disease … Continue reading →

Many people who are trying to lose weight often foil their dietary plans because of cravings. One of the most common cravings is that for sweet treats, which is likely an evolutionary behavior. In order for the body to function … Continue reading →

Obesity will soon take over smoking as the leading cause of death in the United States. Two thirds of Americans are now overweight or obese and the trend is growing. Furthermore, recent evidence suggests that people who are overweight are … Continue reading →

When consumers buy meat at their local grocery store, they often look at the color of the meat, and usually steer clear of meats that are brown or discolored. However, what many shoppers do not realize is that meats and … Continue reading →

Most people have heard about iron deficiency and anemia, but not much is said about consuming too much iron. When people think of iron sources most think red meat, which can indeed raise iron stores. One study in The American … Continue reading →

Previous research has reported that high fiber intake helps maintain or improve health. Now a study reports that high fiber intake may reduce the risk of obesity and heart disease.
Continue reading →

Trans fats raise blood levels of artery-clogging LDL (bad) cholesterol while lowering HDL (good) cholesterol, and are linked to heart disease. They may also increase the risk of certain cancers. Since January, 2006 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has … Continue reading →

We know from studies on fraternal and identical twins that many physical traits are inherited. Fraternal twins only share 50% of their genetic material, while identical twins share 100%. So by comparing characteristics between twins sets in both types of … Continue reading →

It’s widely believed that nighttime snacking can lead to an increased tendency to gain weight. However, a recent study reports that a midnight snack won’t affect weight any more than the same food eaten during the day.

Benzene is a commonly known carcinogen. It is a flamable, colorless liquid with a sweet odor. It is most commonly used as solvent in household cleaners, but is also found in gasoline and various manufacturing processes. Benzene exposure or toxicity … Continue reading →

Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia, compulsive eating and other clinical illnesses are becoming more prevalent in the U.S., especially among college-aged young adults. The death rate for anorexia is 12 times higher than the other causes of death … Continue reading →

Healthy fats, such as fish oil and flax seed oil, have been shown to protect against various degenerative diseases. Now research reports that new fat, either obtained from the diet (such as fish oil and flax seed oil) or produced in the liver, is needed to burn fat deposits stored in the body.
Continue reading →

An article appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association (2005;294:2455-2464) suggests that patients consuming diets containing less saturated fat, should not be making up the rest of the calories with carbohydrates, as was once advised.
Continue reading →

The Journal of American Medical Association recently published the results of a small study that tested three different diets as replacement alternatives when omitting saturated fats. The goal of the study was to determine which diet, if any, had the most influence on lowering blood lipids and blood pressure, thereby decreasing cardiovascular disease risk.
Continue reading →

Many plant and herb extracts demonstrate anti-microbial properties. Now research reports that chives have the most potent antibacterial activity against salmonella, the most common bacterial cause of food poisoning.
Continue reading →

A recent trial from the University of Southern California studied incidence of asthma in children in relation to maternal fish intake.
Continue reading →

Researchers in the United Kingdom wanted to determine the dose response to intake of eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) in healthy young and old men on cellular immune response. The results of the study were published in the February issue of American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Continue reading →

Genistein and indole-3-carbinol (I3C), phytochemicals found in soy and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, are known to have anticancer effects. Now research reports that I3C and genistein enhance DNA repair, which may explain the protective effect soy and vegetables have against some cancers.
Continue reading →

When combined with other influential dietary factors, a high-fiber diet rich in unrefined foods is an important component in the treatment and prevention of hemorrhoids. Find out which foods are right to eliminate the discomfort caused by hemorrhoids.
Continue reading →

An article published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2005;82(6):1185-1194) examined the effects of different types and sources of fiber on risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Continue reading →

Now, research reviewing decades of dietary studies has found that a high protein, low-carb diet helps weight loss in the short term, but questions its long-term safety and continued effectiveness.
Continue reading →

This new study examined the effect a pre-treatment with yogurt containing live cultures of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium would have on eradication rates.
Continue reading →

Soda drinking can contribute to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a known risk factor for esophageal cancer. However, new research reports that soda drinking is not linked to esophageal adenocarcinoma risk.
Continue reading →

Recent research suggests that eating fish, olive oil, fruits and vegetables may help prevent and treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is characterized by inflammation in the joints, leading to chronic pain and disability.
Continue reading →

Eating a lower calorie diet may increase lifespan according to latest study published in the Journal of American Medical Association. The study based its work on animal models that proved caloric restriction increased lifespan.
Continue reading →